How to Work With Someone You Hate
For most employees, interacting with coworkers and team members comes with the job description. Unfortunately, not everyone can get along, and odds are you'll run into a coworker or two you just despise during your career. Love them or hate them, you must learn to work with the people involved with your job. Otherwise, you run the associated risks of missing deadlines, turning in poor work or facing disciplinary actions from your supervisor or manager.
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Instructions
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Determine the root of the problem. Decide whether your dislike stems from a particular incident or the coworker's personality in general. For example, he may have done something in the past that hurt your work or your own personal feelings, or he may have a manner of speaking that grates on your nerves.
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Decide if you can take action to correct the problem. For instance, if a coworker makes frequent inappropriate jokes that bother you, asking her to stop may solve the problem. Speak to the co-worker directly to try and alleviate any bad feelings. However, if you just do not like the person in general, bringing it up might hurt her feelings and worsen the situation.
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Find something you like about your coworker. Look for a positive trait he has, or a recent work project he completed well. Compliment him on this positive trait. Focusing on the positive will alleviate some tension.
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Minimize, as much as possible, the amount of time you spend around this coworker. Schedule separate breaks or lunch hours to give you time away from the person.
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Keep your conversations and tone professional. Focus on staying professional whenever you have to work with this person.
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Speak with your supervisor if the problem becomes unbearable. Your supervisor can mediate between you and the coworker, or direct you to an HR representative who can help smooth things over between the two of you.
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Tips & Warnings
Offer to help the person, and your other coworkers, whenever you can. Lending a helping hand will help create a positive atmosphere in your office, which can reduce some of the friction between you and people you dislike.
Avoid gossiping about the person to other coworkers. Gossiping will give you a bad reputation and could lead to disciplinary action.
References
- Photo Credit Creatas/Creatas/Getty Images
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Comments
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Although I was searching for dealing with a person I hate in a more social environment (a group of friends, a certain one gets on my nerves..) I found this to be helpful! :)
